The Louisiana Workforce Commission showed sustained growth, with seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs reaching 1.9 million last month. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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The clock is ticking on the special session. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Researchers at Tulane University are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at curbing the spread of whooping cough. Colleen Crain reports…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Senator Bill Cassidy will serve as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee during the 119th Congress. Cassidy addressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose controversial views on public health topics like vaccinations and fluoride in drinking water have sparked significant debate.
Cut 4 (10) “…will take place.”
Cassidy acknowledged these controversies, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making on public health matters. He stressed that his role as HELP Committee chairman will prioritize advancing policies rooted in scientific consensus and improving health outcomes nationwide.
As chairman, Cassidy is expected to play a critical role in shaping healthcare reforms, addressing workforce challenges, and overseeing educational initiatives. His leadership could influence debates on contentious issues such as vaccine mandates.
Cut 6 (13) “…on anything else.”
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Louisiana’s employment figures show sustained growth. Workforce Commission Economist Emily DiPalma says seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs reached 1.9 million last month — up 7,700 from September and 9,500 over the year. Private sector employment also rose to 1.6 million, adding 7,100 jobs monthly and 3,900 annually.
Cut 7 (07) “…to include agriculture.”
This marks 43 consecutive months of year-over-year growth. The number of employed individuals decreased by 5,800 from September, while unemployed individuals increased by 3,600. DiPalma says major job gains over the month included private education and health services, manufacturing and construction…
With the year over year job growth, DiPalma says she doesn’t see exponential growth but instead a steady trend making the forecast for jobs in Louisiana looking bright.
Cut 9 (06) “…ten-year outlook.”
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In the special session on tax reform, lawmakers have a long way to go, and a short time to get there. The biggest sticking point involves sales taxes, with House members now considering just adding 19 services to the sales tax base instead of the 41 originally proposed by Governor Landry. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it looks like lawmakers are making some headway.
Cut 10 (11) “…initially brought up.”
Earlier, the House approved a measure to reduce income taxes to a flat three-percent across the board and to boost the standard deduction. But Alford says if they can’t agree on an accompanying sales tax plan, that income tax plan could be in jeopardy.
Cut 11 (05) “…to carry forward.”
Part of Landry’s plan involved ending tax breaks on certain sectors, like the state’s film industry. The film industry has vehemently pushed back on that, and Alford says that seems to have struck a chord with those in the State Senate.
Cut 12 (07) “…in the industry.”
The special session must end by six p-m next Monday.
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Tulane University researchers are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at reducing the spread of whooping cough. Lead study author Lisa Morici (mo-REE-see) says the new vaccine combines the traditional pertussis antigens with an innovative adjuvant that boosts the body’s immune response, specifically in the respiratory tract.
Cut 13 (11) “…that are susceptible.”
Morici’s findings come at a time when whooping cough cases are on the rise. Whooping cough affects about 24-million people worldwide and primarily affects infants and those with weakened immunity systems. Morici says the best part about this vaccine is that it is injected through the nasal passages.
Cut 14 (14) “…a needle delivery.”
Morici says while current pertussis vaccines are effective at preventing whooping cough, they fail to clear the bacteria from the upper respiratory tract, allowing even vaccinated people to spread the disease. The vaccine she and her team are working on aims to address this.
Cut 15 (10) “…from the animals.”
Morici’s study is published in the journal npj Vaccines.
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The Louisiana Tech football tam’s celebration of their upset win over Western Kentucky will be cut short as they look ahead to visit Arkansas this weekend. The Razorbacks are led by Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green. Bulldogs Head Coach Sonny Cumbie says containing the athletic signal caller will be top priority…
The Bulldogs will depend on the nation’s 12th-ranked defense to slow down the Razorbacks. Linebacker Zach Zimos has been key to the unit’s success since transferring from Arkansas two seasons ago. Cumbie says the team’s second-leading tackler has been a transfer success story…
The 4-and-6 Bulldogs need to come away with a win to keep their bowl hopes alive.
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LSU football coach Brian Kelly is facing scrutiny after a disappointing stretch in his highly anticipated third season in Baton Rouge. After starting 6-and-1 with playoff aspirations, the Tigers have lost three in a row to eliminate themselves from contention. SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum shares many fans’ concern…
Cut 18 (14) “…what I’m seeing.”
LSU made headlines in 2021 when they hired Brian Kelly just one year removed from a College Football Playoff appearance with Notre Dame. Kelly led the Tigers to back-to-back 10-win seasons his first two years but fell short of playoff expectations. Finebaum says Kelly was the right hire despite recent struggles…
Cut 19 (15) “…in Baton Rouge.”
Finebaum says Kelly won him and many others over after bouncing back from a 4-and-8 season at Notre Dame in 2016. He went on to five straight double-digit win seasons and two CFP appearances. Finebaum doesn’t expect Kelly to get fired this season but it will take a similar effort to cool down the hot seat…